Purim! Is that L’Chaim Worthwhile?

If you are thinking of drinking more than a little bit on Purim, then it might be a good idea to give this a careful read!

Isn’t it a wonderful custom that we have? We take a small shot of whisky, say “L’Chaim” and swig it down. According to Rabbi Shraga Simmons of Aish HaTorah, the custom of saying “L’Chaim” when drinking alcohol is first mentioned in “Machzor Vitri” 80, s.v. “Shnayim.”
In the past, they would wine to the condemned so that their execution would be less painful (Midrash Tanchuma” Parshat Pekudei 2). Jews started to say “L’Chaim” (which means “to life”) before drinking wine to distinguish from the condemned and to emphasize that drinking wine should be for life and not for death (“Kol Boh” 25 s.v “U’B’Seudat”). There is an ongoing discussion about the harm of drinking alcohol and the health benefits of drinking. Let’s try to sort it out.

Alcohol, or ethyl alcohol (ethanol), refers to the intoxicating ingredient found in wine, beer and hard liquor. Alcohol arises naturally from carbohydrates when certain micro-organisms metabolize them in the absence of oxygen, a process called fermentation. Beer, wine and other liquor contain different amounts of alcohol. The amount of alcohol in distilled liquor is known as proof. For example, 100 proof liquor contains 50% alcohol, 40 proof liquor contains 20% alcohol, and so on. Traditional wine has approximately 8-14% alcohol, while regular beer has 4-6% alcohol.

Recent studies show that moderate use of alcohol may have a beneficial effect on the coronary system. In general, for healthy people, one drink per day for women and no more than two drinks per day for men would be considered the maximum amount of alcohol consumption to be considered moderate use. By healthy people, we are referring to non-pregnant women, individuals not addicted to alcohol, and people without pre-existing medical conditions, among others. However, the amount of alcohol that a person can drink safely is highly individual, depending on genetics, age, sex, weight and family history,

According to the Mayo Clinic, moderate alcohol consumption may provide some health benefits. It may:

Reduce your risk of developing heart disease

Reduce your risk of dying of a heart attack

Reduce your risk of strokes, particularly ischemic strokes

Lower your risk of gallstones

Reduce your risk of diabetes

Keep in mind that, according to the Mayo Clinic, the evidence about the possible health benefits of alcohol isn’t certain and alcohol may not benefit everyone who drinks it. Moderate alcohol consumption may be of most benefit only if you are an older adult or if you have existing risk factors for heart disease, such as high cholesterol. If you’re a middle-aged or younger adult, some evidence shows that even moderate alcohol use may cause more harm than good. In fact, if you’re a woman and drink alcohol, talk to your doctor about taking supplemental folate to help reduce the risk of breast cancer associated with alcohol use. You can take other steps to benefit your cardiovascular health besides drinking — eating a healthy diet and exercising, for example.

The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that if you choose to drink alcohol you should do so only in moderation — up to one drink a day for women or two drinks a day for men.

Examples of one drink include:

Beer: 12 fluid ounces (355 milliliters)

Wine: 5 fluid ounces (148 milliliters)

Distilledspirits(80 proof): 1.5 fluid ounces (44 milliliters)

Here are other situations in which the risks of alcohol may outweigh possible health benefits:

You are pregnant or trying to become pregnant

You take medication that can interact with alcohol

You have had a previous hemorrhagic stroke

You have been diagnosed with alcoholism or alcohol abuse

You have liver or pancreatic disease

You have heart failure or have been told that you have a weak heart or dilated cardiomyopathy

You are planning to drive a vehicle or operate machinery

There is no question especially as Purim is upon us that we have to be very careful about our drinking. Alcohol is something that when consumed beyond limits can end tragically. There is always the danger of, Chas V’Shalom, an accident, but just as dangerous is the possibility of alcohol addiction which can lead to cirrhosis of the liver and cancer. Ultimately, the person will need a liver transplant to survive. The complications also include:

Ascites (fluid buildup in the abdomen)

Variceal hemorrhage (bleeding in the upper stomach and esophagus from ruptured blood vessels)

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is a form of peritonitis (inflammation of the membrane that lines the abdomen), which is associated with ascites. Other bacterial infections are also a common complication of cirrhosis.

Hepatic encephalopathy (damage to the brain). Impaired brain function occurs when the liver cannot detoxify harmful substances which can lead to coma.

Having a L’Chaim is wonderful. I highly recommend it and it can even be a heart-healthy thing to do. But anything beyond the moderate levels we have enumerated is not good. Enjoying alcohol only in moderation can “add hours to your day, days to your year and years to your life.”

Alan Freishtat is an A.C.E. CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER and a LIFESTYLE FITNESS COACH with over 17 years of professional experience. He is the co-director of the Jerusalem-based weight loss and stress reduction center Lose It! along with Linda Holtz M.Sc. and is available for private consultations, assessments and personalized workout programs. Alan also lectures and gives seminars and workshops. He can be reached at 02-651-8502 or 050-555-7175, or by email at alan@alanfitness.com Check out his web site – www.alanfitness.com US Line: 516-568-5027

Like this article?

Sign up for our Shabbat Shalom e-newsletter, a weekly roundup of inspirational thoughts, insight into current events, divrei torah, relationship advice, recipes and so much more!